City Councilman Mike Whatley criticized local media for coverage of the council's planned retreat to Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa, saying it has been divisive to the community, at a council meeting Wednesday night. Whatley also said much of the public has a misperception of the purpose of the retreat.

After expressing her agreement with Councilman Mike Whatley's statements regarding the council's upcoming retreat, Councilwoman Janet Goodman launched into a defense of the hiring of a new grant writer/finance coordinator who was banned from banking by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 2006.